Otters Open Squash C'ship begins on March 1

Richard Dwight

The Otter Aquatic Club which is actively associated in the promotion and fostering of squash, will sponsor and host the eighth annual Otter open squash tournament that will commence on Saturday the 1st of March and conclude on Saturday the 8th of March at the Otter's squash courts.

The tournament has gained in stature through the years to be so recognised to enjoy the patronage and assistance of the Sri Lanka Squash Federation (SLSF) at all times.

This was made known to the members of the media at a briefing held at the Otters on Monday, by its general secretary Jeff Jacotine.

According to the president of the SLSF, Air Vice Marshal, Asoka Amunugama, who received the sponsorship cheque from Jacotine, it was gathered that Otters have made a valid contribution to have a rich history of squash to so popularise the sport, that its annual tournament has been declared a National Ranking Tournament.

This being so, Amunugama concluded by saying that all the leading players in the country will be seen in action, with the main contenders amongst the men being Anura Hewage and Navin Samarasinghe and the women being Nirosha Guruge and Randima Ranaweera.

The Secretary of the SLSF, Comdr:SLN: Lasantha de Silva, said that there will be over 200 participating at this competition. Apart from the men's and women's, there will be events for the men viz; Novices over 50, over 45 over 35.

For the boys it will be the under 19 event and, the novices under 19 under 17, 15, 13, 11 and under 9. For the women apart from the open, it will be the women's Novices. For the girls it will be the under 19, the novices under 19, 17, 15, 13, 11 and under 9.

The tournament will be conducted according to the Rules of the Asian Squash Federation and the world squash Federation all matches will be best of 5 games of 9 points and will be played with a Yellow double dot ball. The seniors will receive cash awards and the juniors will receive trophies.

Entries for the tournament will close at 5.00 p.m. on the 27th of February and the draw will be on the same evening at 6.00 p.m. at the Otters.